Question

will fan and medal whoever helps.

So this might be a little confusing but I have to take a test tomorrow and I am studying for it. The question is:

Simplify each expression to lowest terms.
1. -9n -n -3m

I got the answer and I know it is : -10n-3m

But could somebody explain to me how I could get this answer??? I need to know how to solve it even though i have the answer.

Answer 1

you can add or subtract 'like' terms,
by that i mean you can add or subtract terms that come with the 'n'

Answer 2

lets try another example

5n + 6n + 3m + 8m

can you do this?

just add the 'n' terms and the 'm' terms seperately

Answer 3

so it would be (5n+6n+) and (3m+8m) would be apart because 5n and 6n are like terms and 3m and 8m are like terms?

Answer 4

exactly :)

Answer 5

thanks so much!!!! (:

Answer 6

you do have actually add the numbers though

(5n + 6n) + (3m + 8m)

=((11n) + (11m)

Answer 7

The reason this works is the distributive property:

$$\Huge ab+ ac =a(b+c)$$

$$\Huge -9n-n-3m$$

$$\Huge(-9-1)n-3m$$

$$\Huge-10n-3m$$